Culturally Sensitive Therapists in Northport, NY

I work with many clients from many different backgrounds and cultures. My priority and number one goal is to enhance their lives and over all psychological functioning and wellbeing. I am not here to fix you, as you are not broken. My main goal is to help every single client to actualize and become the best version of themselves. I approach each client as an individual, with respect, dignity, and sensitivity. I view myself as working alongside each client towards creating more fulfilling opportunities, while reducing long standing negative behaviors, feelings, and thought patterns.

Certified Arise /Substance Abuse Interventionist/ Certified Recovery Coach working with individuals and their families affected by the disease of addiction and mental health disorders. I travel to all boroughs in NY and out of state. I have over thirty years of experience motivating families to change their negative behaviors, to healthier patterns, resulting in positive outcomes for the whole family. I provide on-going comprehensive care with families for at least six months during and placement to treatment. My approach is an invitational, compassionate and highly successful approach. Outstanding references will be provided.

I have been told that when a client meets with me, either in-person or on-line (Zoom, Skype, FaceTime), that they feel safe. This safety allows a person to communicate with me their feelings, thoughts and goals. My primary objective is to help a client understand these by focusing on their strengths and continually guiding them towards their goal. Through this process, clients are able to see what obstacles have been in their way that has prevented them achieving their goal/s.

Are you feeling anxious or overwhelmed? Stressed or defeated? Life seems complex in new and insurmountable ways these days. Many people struggle to find answers to problems they were never prepared for. I know it’s hard to acknowledge that we don’t know what to do. I understand the weight of asking yourself “Where do I go from here?” I support my clients by providing clarity on how their behavior and unresolved issues affect them in their daily lives. I help my clients slow down and understand what's going on cognitively and physically so that we can break cycles and create new strategies to start finishing unfinished business.

Many of us will experience anxiety, depression, or trauma in our lifetime. We tend to carry these experiences silently and heavily weighed down by them, often leaving us feeling hopeless, exhausted, isolated, and unhappy. For some, they can also lead to significant mental health issues and unhelpful coping strategies. This pain is significant. Your suffering is real. And, if you're reading this, you've probably tried everything to fix it. You may have believed that nothing could change or get better. I am here to help you challenge those beliefs and provide you with a set of skills to help you cope with your distress.

With over 35 years experience I am able to successfully treat numerous diagnoses and life problems, from bipolar disorder, alcohol and other addictive problems to marital counseling. I work with adolescents and adults to help them to remove obstacles from their lives so they can enjoy the most fulfilling life. I love to engage with patients who are interested in the benefits of psychotherapy.

In private practice for over 25 years, I have provided services to children, adolescents, adults and couples who are struggling with inner turmoil and the challenges of everyday life. I believe it is only by truly listenning to the bullied child, the nervous young man, the recently divorced woman, or the parents of an anorexic teen that a therapist can understand and provide the support and treatment that truly helps.

Are you looking for the kind of therapist that physicians and therapists choose for their own treatment? They come to me. Nothing really prepared us for all the decisions that we have had to make as therapists these past few months, So if you are tired, confused, overwhelmed, frustrated - I am with you. I simply want to support you as you decide what is right for you, your clients, your practice, and your family. I've heard therapists and clients described the bathroom as the new couch as clients & therapists search for privacy & a quiet place for therapy to take place. Let’s set up a virtual consultation, on the phone or on video.

Stressful and traumatic events can happen to anyone. We cannot choose their timing or immediate impact on our ability to love, work, parent, or grow. In children, they can cause behavioral, academic, and interpersonal difficulties. Stress can get lodged in our bodies, making it very difficult to “just get over it.” However, even by considering psychotherapy, you are making a very important first step towards regaining control of your life. Making a choice to value your mental health is the key to getting back your feelings of agency, self-confidence, and sense of control of our own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

Are you looking to cultivate a deeper sense of calm? Are you finding that pervasive anxiety has taken control of your life? Are your child's anxious and avoidant behaviors creating an impossible dynamic in your family? In a time where we are expected to perform our roles, whatever they may be, with perfection, precision and speed, and our children are smothered with the unrelenting demands of this increasingly chaotic world, anxiety can become a constant and undesired companion. The time and attention it takes to gain greater understanding of ourselves and our children can feel overwhelming and out of reach.

There are seasons in life when hope and peace seem distant while trouble, stress, and doubt are unavoidable. Learning new perspectives can alleviate symptoms of anxiety, hopelessness, confusion, concentration challenges, fatigue, emotional volatility, risky behavior, or difficult relationships. I provide personalized support to encourage and empower clients to live more authentically and get positive results. I'll get to know you and your unique strengths and talents while providing support and building self-confidence to achieve more satisfaction in life.

When will things get easier? When will I feel or function better? Life can be complicated and stressful, yet we are not meant to do it alone. You may be in the midst of a current crisis, or perhaps are deciding to confront issues that have been with you for a while. Many of my clients come in at first to talk about ​relationships or family conflict, feeling anxious or worried, being stuck or not sure what life path to take, or grieving the loss of something painful.

Many of us struggle with finding out what's next in our lives and wondering if we can achieve it. The challenges of everyday life, school, and family often leave us without the time or space to think about who and where we are in life.

If you're looking for an open, warm, and nonjudgmental environment, where the work is client-centered, you may find that we're a good fit. I believe in the empowerment of people, to help them lead authentic lives that are full of understanding and meaning. The capacity to adapt and evolve is inherent in all of us.

My name is Colleen Aerne and I want to welcome you to my practice. Are you struggling with feelings of depression, anxiety, irritability? Are the demands of life, work and family leaving you feeling overwhelmed? I believe that taking a step back, getting in touch with your feelings and gaining perspective on why you are feeling this way is vital. I want to help you work through your feelings of depression and anxiety and get your life back on track.

Are you feeling overwhelmed and stressed out? Would you like to make changes in your life but feel stuck, unsure where to start or how to go about it? Do you have a transition in your life that you find yourself struggling with? Relationships, career changes, college/graduate school, parenthood, and caregiving/loss of parents are among the most common transitional stressors for people. Challenges in life can vary across the lifespan; at times, we may feel well-equipped to manage these challenges, and at other times, personal struggles, symptoms, or circumstances may impact our ability to manage the stresses that arise.